Best Moment: Early 15th-Century Chinese Bodhisattva Gilt Bronze

We love this guest's reaction! Robert Waterhouse appraises an early 15th-Century Chinese Bodhisattva gilt bronze in St. Louis, Hour 1.
See more Season 22 Best Moments now: bit.ly/AR22BestMoments.
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[@PatrickMurtha]

She got $2.1 million at auction (Sotheby’s, New York, March 2019).

[@donnamylove]

Yes. Just read that. It was much older than the original evaluation. I think they said 700AD or there abouts.

[@tinklvsme]

@@stephenscherer21337 TY for the update!

[@emh630]

The auction estimate was 60,000 to 80,000 USD. So price realized was way above estimate! I can't help but think that Antiques Roadshow helped to publicize this piece and brought out the deep pocket bidders.

[@metalmicky]

Retirement money! Good on you .

[@lealand423]

Wow that is amazing, well he did say a very very conservative amount lol.

[@andrewparfrement8583]

Her reaction is priceless!. As he just said 100.000 thousand dollars. This was published November 2018, I understand she sold the object in March 2019 and it made 2.1 million dollars. Pleased for her, she seems to be a nice person.

[@johnwilliamson2276]

Not too bad (profit wise), that is.

[@stephenwgreen78]

She does seem to be nice. I can totally see someone at home thinking...dog gone it, she'll never stop buying that garage sale crap now😂🤣. Really happy for her

[@and__lam1152]

100.000 x thousand dollars = 100,000,000 ..... that's a dramatic over estimate according to OP

[@dollimelaine]

@@JSchroederee lol!

[@citogal]

@@and__lam1152 look where the decimal point is...

[@leechap3]

So it was in an old guy's collection and when he died his family just held a yard sale. Same thing we did when my mom died. I love that dealers passed over a $2,000,000 artifact for two days.

[@51Saffron]

It would not be appraised for that, it was bought for that, two different things. Probably someone from Asia. An item is only as valuable as the price that someone will pay for it. There are lots of things appraised that do not even get a bid on, and something where there are multiple bidders. This item would hardly be worth 2.1 million, but someone was willing to pay that.

[@sharksport01]

@@51Saffron Money laundering.

[@1845Raven]

It was meant to be hers.

[@kenc2257]

@@51Saffron Pretentious twattle--you're talking nonsense. It's worth $2M because it is very old, rare if not unique, was almost certainly made for royalty, and (obviously) someone paid that price for it. And, as this piece was in an auction, it's apparent that some (or one) prospective buyer(s) were outbid at close to $2M.

[@catbyte0679]

They probably saw that broken arm and hand then figured nobody would buy a banged-up thing like that. Joke's on them.

[@raycope2086]

I love it when this sort of thing happens because someone bought something just because they liked it. Grand!

[@unseelie63]

It is special that way, isn't it? No calculation,no envisioning how much you might make off of it or laughing at the ignorant seller's expense,just:I thought it was beautiful/cool/fun/whatever.I bought it because I liked it.

[@mildanimal5967]

Two thousand grand!

[@raycope2086]

@@mildanimal5967 ( chuckle )

[@psychiatry-is-eugenics]

You actually believe that’s the ONLY reason she bought it ?

[@raycope2086]

@@psychiatry-is-eugenics Yes.

[@nutellica5946]

Even better news: The lunch for her 15 guests was a smashing success! She put together a wonderful lasagne, with a nice salad.

[@TerriblePerfection]

😂

[@EricPalmer_DaddyOh]

I heard ir was ribeye steaks and 100 year old wine for lunch.

[@MM-Iconoclast]

@@EricPalmer_DaddyOh Betcha she went out somewhere nice after the auction! And yeah, if I was there, the order would be for ribeye.

[@fullmetta2764]

It's the coolest thing when treasures like this are unearthed on the show.

[@Dee010s]

I love that statue but her hair is lovely too!

[@englishrose4388]

She was so shocked it took her a while to respond--priceless.

[@christinetempleton7657]

One wonders about the journey of pieces like these, what have they seen?... I'm so glad this made it so far.

[@touche2584]

When he says, "I think those who understand Buddhist works of art from that period would look at this object and say it's beyond a very wealthy patron's quality of bronze.", all I hear is Cha-Ching. The point being, there's not much, other than Imperial, that's Beyond Very Wealthy.

[@seanleith5312]

Good lord, that ugly thing. Disgusting.

[@k.s.k.7721]

@@seanleith5312 Beauty must be in the eye of the beholder - I immediately thought it was exquisite.

[@SheilaR.08]

@@seanleith5312 It's spectacular. You lack knowledge, imagination, or both.

[@AFAskygoddess]

@@seanleith5312 , and that is why you will never make a $2million profit on a $75 purchase.

[@scslre]

@@AFAskygoddess i don't think that's why.

[@h.a7688]

OMG early ming dynsty... That should go to the museum

[@SteveLeicht1]

Okay Indiana.

[@devsdystopia]

It was late Tang

[@teatimetel174]

sold for 2mil

[@devdixit2440]

They made a mistake. It was from the Tang dynasty. About 8th century A.D.

[@AFAskygoddess]

How I wish that Sotheby's could post a video of that seven minute auction. Imagine the excitement as the bidding surpassed $100,000...$500,000...$1,000,000...$2,000,000!

[@RonGee]

I know, kind of like when Claire brought in that Seymour Card Table that they appraised on the show for $250K, and then they did a follow-up episode where they showed it being auctioned at Sotheby's. The bidding started at $200K and the Antiques Roadshow cameras were watching Claire as the bidding climbed higher and higher. Finally sold for $490K and Claire was so excited in an innocent way.

[@adventureinventors]

Rick: "Best I can do is $40, I'm taking a gamble here".

[@Sam11747]

Cash money.

[@pickingwilddaisies945]

My exact thoughts 💭😂

[@aldomalaj1322]

$20 bills

[@randyporter3491]

Francisco Silva yeah, and Frank on American Pickers - “Well.. it has the damage and the finish is worn, but I would give $35.00, IF you throw in the oil can on the shelf..”

[@matthewthacker3683]

he would bring in mark to appraise

[@blacklightning298]

Im so delighted for her

[@aucourant9998]

That's Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. Traditionally, he has a thousand arms so that he can better help humanity.

[@Chr.U.Cas2216]

Wonderful piece, wonderful Lady!

[@QuantumKitty]

I’m love her reaction!

[@Frankdogcp]

I’m love it too

[@ThePoliticalLambaster1]

Yes, she was convincing

[@OffGridInvestor]

Then it sold in march 2019 for 2.1 million not 100 thousand.

[@__seeker__]

Anyone else appreciate the irony of a holy icon meant to direct the mind towards Buddha’s teachings selling for over US$2M? I think it’s hilarious.

[@michaelwalker6523]

It was also meant to please a Ming emperor and be a sign of the emperor's prestige.

[@scottlang7271]

I think that the Buddha himself would find it hilarious :)

[@wjcj1234]

Part of the beauty of it....funny.

[@AFAskygoddess]

Well, that lady sure got off the wheel of suffering when she got that check from Sotheby's.

[@willshaw6405]

Only irony for you....the Bhudda might smile

[@briany7658]

Her reaction is priceless!!!

[@absolutetruthgirl]

Can we all just take a moment and admire the women's hair...stunning!

[@TheRealBizWiz]

Definitely! 👍

[@ag-zu1vf]

Yeah she's hot

[@joekriger1252]

WOMAN, perhaps. I only see one.

[@absolutetruthgirl]

@@joekriger1252 my bad.

[@joekriger1252]

@@absolutetruthgirl Not bad. Just typing too quickly sometimes.

[@Blondi6731]

Her reaction. I thought she was going to drop dead from shock right there😂

[@jessicanunes9339]

I don’t know what I liked more, her super cute reaction or the dude behind her when he realized he was on camera 🤣🤣🤣

[@susanh695]

Beautiful and so graceful a figure ! congratulations to the lady

[@jmatt4life]

OMG!!! Absolutely unexpected but lovely surprise!

[@sabitrahimoppo444]

If interested in bronze antique sculpture please contact me on my wattsap [phone] you will be shocked

[@86upsmaya]

Thats a museum piece, we have quite a similar work in our national museum of Sri Lanka

[@asiaoharasbutterflies9425]

I love it. It’s beautiful.

[@papillonvu]

Appraiser: "Price would be about 100 to 125..." Lady: "oh good, I can make a $25 profit!" Appraiser: "... thousand dollars." Lady: 😳

[@OffGridInvestor]

And it sold in march 2019 for 2.1 million

[@macmac8249]

Good. Such a humble lady.

[@macsloan58]

Truly stunned!!

[@Janjan-sm2rj]

I am going to check out my attic..wish me luck

[@darlenefoster3379]

find anything yet??

[@Janjan-sm2rj]

@@darlenefoster3379a whole load for junk 🙄...😀

[@Pwwh0711]

Hopefully no murderous psychopaths hiding there....good luck!

[@Janjan-sm2rj]

@@Pwwh0711 thank you for that...😄,,,,no gold ..no treasure...some bowls with Chinese writing....

[@ike4584]

"I was having 15 people for lunch." How dose she stay so slim?

[@joseavila4717]

Captain Farrell 🤣

[@BIZKITJODE]

The Jeffrey Dahlmer diet...😯

[@Eskey__]

Awesome.

[@ianmontgomery7213]

her surname is Lechter perhaps?

[@mildanimal5967]

She likes people. She just can’t eat a whole one!

[@chamsad6534]

Appraiser: it’s early Ming dynasty Owner: is it Chinese Me: 😂

[@Canuckmom128]

Thanks to Mark Harris and others for updating with the Sotheby's final sale price. YOWZA ! Talk about a Retirement Investment. While the Dealer was reviewing it, I kept thinking " I bet you'd get significantly more at Auction", because as others have noted there is some serious money in China now, and they are very concerned with bringing valuable artifacts back to China. Congrats to the woman who owned it 👍.

[@navajoauckland6003]

He's so cute

[@G_xx_]

Thats crazy. Good for her. 👏

[@simonmonty7171]

Incredible.

[@hankklassen4295]

Wow just wow.

[@Padoinky]

So much for “the experts” having bypassed the piece

[@emh630]

The damage would have turned off the dealers also unmarked Eastern art is a big unknown rabbit hole for identification.

[@twmlloyd5257]

Best response i have seen , and know learning it sold for over 2 million dollars, brilliant

[@annschurman4888]

I was just going to say "conservative" means a lot more then saw the Reply below! But the figure is exquisite. Lordy! I wish I had found this one!

[@daniellagarcia8325]

Looks like Kwan Yin highlighting the sacred heart.

[@newwavepop]

its a really nice piece, if i saw it at a yard sale or estate sale or something for a reasonable price and i could afford it "and for me thats probably about what she paid for it if not a little less" i absolutely would have bought it. i never for a second would have ever looked at it and thought it was anywhere near that old, much less THAT valuable.

[@stephanieyee9784]

Same. It's a beautiful statue and thst is all that we would see. I do love the fact art dealers overlooked it.

[@TheAngrychipmunk96]

Its appears that these Chinese artifacts are selling at far above and beyond their valuations in auctions of late. A chinese vase sold at auction in November 2020 in Ireland for €1.2 million; it had a pre auction valuation of between €800 and €1200!!

[@NemeanLion-]

She got $2.1 million

[@machsolid6402]

Haha this is the best one ever ! It’s better than imagined winning the lottery because…. You could have something like this kicking around your house 20 years and the kids playing with it and stuff and it’s worth millions lolol! Thanks SO much. Love AR

[@germaineprien7691]

Nice find for her!!!

[@tigergreg8]

I'll bet she's glad she took time away from that lunch party.

[@LurkerPatrol5]

Considering she apparently got 2.1 million for it at Sotheby's, I'm sure she's VERY happy.

[@sampuatisamuel9785]

The lady has great taste

[@clevoloki55]

I love how she’s smearing her fingers all over the gilt figure while the historian is avoiding even touching it with his wooden pointer..

[@nancymorrison9978]

It Is hers.👍

[@NemeanLion-]

She thought it was worth a few thousand.

[@davidfranklin272]

Lovely.

[@unseelie63]

Clearly the dealers didn't know wtf they were looking at when they passed it up! That's amazing! And what a beautiful piece.

[@sharksport01]

They were looking for a snoopy lunchbox.

[@EchoBravo370]

Chinese antiquities was probably not their specialty.

[@unseelie63]

@@sharksport01 🤣

[@ChristineJonah88]

Amazing

[@jcsoundguy]

Just one time at one of these, I want to see someone stand up and dance around saying, "YES!! YES!!"

[@Mybpeterson]

I actually saw that happen once! A woman brought in an enormous civil war era pottery jug. She bought it at a yard sale for five bucks. She thought it was hideous but possibly worth some money. I believe it was estimated at 30-50 thousand.

[@unseelie63]

@@Mybpeterson That's fabulous! Good for her!

[@stevenbryant4718]

they're in shock. Besides the camera wouldn't be able to follow them

[@waylonwolf4908]

Good for her!

[@rjr1227]

Love that 3seconds of dead silence....wow..what a great find. Congratulations....keep or sell? Me.....it be hard but I think I'd sell

[@deedeewinfrey3181]

Good for her.☺

[@B_Bodziak]

I'm watching in 2019, and based on her reaction, one can only assume the statue has been SOLD!

[@freshbloominclothing]

It sold for 2.1 million.

[@snnetteachexnayder63]

To me it’s worth a hundred dollars said she because that’s what I paid for it and then says are you kidding me after a pause from the quote of what it’s real worth, love it 🥰

[@henryc1000]

WOW!!

[@lestermiller2717]

I used to be an archeologist back in the 60’s to 1989. I still have a large collection of jade stone figures from my digs in China. 12,000 BC up to 500 AD time period. I wonder if it is worth much not sure who to even ask.

[@jaynejackman9377]

Lester Miller. Well Lester get on to a big name auction house they will send someone to you !

[@paulhyde8817]

Not worth much.i will give you a£100.

[@dielaughing73]

@@paulhyde8817 £150!

[@phyllisarrington7436]

WOW!

[@abbyboyone]

"im rich, beeeaaautch!"

[@burningflower2627]

That is absolutely an amazing story! 15th Century!!!!! If the bronze could only tell its life story, what a story it would be! Whose has 2 million dollars to spend on a small statue?

[@joshs3775]

I guess that's a less pessimistic way to look at it. These stories of old white people hoarding treasures from other nations make me sick. 9/10 times they get damaged before someone realizes what it actually is

[@andrewpearce7936]

The rapidly growing number of Chinese million/billionaires trying to round up Chinese artwork to bring home.

[@christafox13]

@@andrewpearce7936 that’s a rude assumption. many extremely wealthy Chinese private collectors and museums buy these culturally significant artifacts at foreign auctions. Many of their artifacts were stolen & lost throughout history, and the country’s National Cultural Heritage adm. has been trying to search for it’s missing cultural items, especially in the last couple years. The US, Italy, France, etc. have all been returning artifacts deemed to be stolen back to China. And private auction pieces like these are bought back by the help of private museums and research historians

[@CatScanJim]

Now I know what the old Steely Dan song was about.

[@TheRealBizWiz]

*Rick Harrison:* “I’m taking all of the risk here. I can give you $15, that’s more than fair.”

[@annieseaside]

Cause it could just sit here, best I can do.

[@TheRealBizWiz]

@@annieseaside Haha! Right!? 😂 Look, it could sit there for over a year.

[@TheRealBizWiz]

@Pink Alien Whoah, someone is taking things way too serious. Who hurt you?

[@zeldasmith6154]

@Pink Alien It's an entertaining show. The father, Rick's dad, really brought it home. He did not suffer fools at all.

[@marydonohoe8200]

600 years old. THAT’S antique!

[@gasstationpeanuts1814]

It was found to be from the late Tang dynasty, so it's actually 1300 years old. Sold for $2 million at Sothebys in 2019

[@wickandde]

Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara with One Thousand Hands and One Thousand Eyes (Qianshou Qianyan Guanyin)

[@docmccoy95]

Good for her.

[@Nyckname]

Everytime I see segments like this, "I paid X at a yard sale", "Would you believe me if I said it's worth Xⁿ?", I wonder if there's someone at home watching, gouging into the wood of their armchair with their fingernails, going, "§€&$¿#!!!"

[@arsaeterna4285]

hahaha

[@wyattmcconchie3889]

Every. Single. Video.

[@mirza6399]

Im usually clutching at my tinkle .

[@ElwoodPDowd-nz2si]

I always shout in wingdings when I'm angry.

[@wormhole331]

If I saw this at a yard sale I'd pass it off as junk too.

[@kmr4244]

Good Luck

[@chrischris8550]

I can believe it!

[@seyara1]

beauuUtiful

[@robbo8566]

Straight down to les gold n silver pawn shop in Detroit...

[@lostasadorespr]

3:26 the best REALLY? Reaction ever

[@1ACL]

Nice

[@debracurtis2149]

Idol

[@extractwise]

plot twist: she is a cannibal and having 15 people for lunch has much darker undertones

[@chriss6356]

Jackpot!

[@Contact_Info]

Rick would offer you $1000, he is taking all the risk and has to put it in a nice frame.

[@mats7492]

500 cash money and im taking the risk here...

[@JoeSmith-np6nz]

If the arm wasn’t broken I could give you more.. but... She got 2 million at auction btw

[@ilial9683]

lol

[@juliamartin4141]

Sick of Rick answers!

[@Contact_Info]

@@juliamartin4141 Chum, go write her up.🤑

[@spinalcrackerbox]

Forget all the Rolex watches, THIS is a priceless object. The fact that she bought it so long after the dealers had picked the place clean - or at least what they considered "clean" - shows how karma works sometimes.

[@drgunsmith4099]

When my mam and dad died, they had a house load of very old antiques, my brother took over and took it all and sold it at jumble sales, I know some things would of made good money but god knows what he sold for hardly nothing. It hurts.

[@MM-Iconoclast]

I'm sorry.

[@jasonjackson5696]

He says a conservative retail estimate is from $100 to $125 …. she’s happy, then he drops …. thousand dollars. Her utter shock told the tale.

[@NemeanLion-]

And she ended up getting $2.1 million at auction

[@victormaslo3830]

good luck

[@Pe6ek]

2:56 : When you are leaving your dentist after a routine check-up.

[@SR-rz9uj]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@petejones879]

Her voice goes right through me....thank god she was almost speechless when he gave her the value lol

[@adamjung6104]

I want to know what other rare antiques were at this garage sale she bought it from.

[@kingofhisworld1]

I'm sure the dealers have unfortunately seen this episode and cried multiple times.

[@priestesspersephone9266]

beautiful buddha blessings

[@annschurman4888]

I do wish it had gone to a museum for many many people to see. It belongs with heritage of the whole human race.

[@ticul111]

Wow

[@n.b.1483]

I love how she just paused when he told her the value. Just paused, said nothing. The look of stunned silence.

[@blackandgold676]

3:25...stunned mullet

[@smartphonerepairwi775]

Great find for the lady. She's a millionaire now 🙏

[@monkey220ms]

That’s awesome! I think that it got so much more at auction because it’s Chinese. Usually Chinese artifacts sell for a lot more because China has the most billionares in the world and many want to buy old items like this.

[@InsulaPecuniae]

monkey220ms Well actually America has the most billionaires. Chinese culture rewards bringing ancestral art back to the mother land

[@NemeanLion-]

She got $2.1 million

[@katelights]

it got a lot more because it was mis-appraised on the show. with the benefit of more time they were able to determine that it was a much older piece which drove up the value

[@chadsmith7075]

wow

[@yeshigawa9318]

ming dynasty things are very rare and expensive also ming yonglo dynasty things are verry expensive mostly beyound million.

[@r.g.doolind5804]

I’m guessing the dealers saw the damage and said nope! Dealers make mistakes too, but I’m wondering what it was worth 20 years ago when she bought it?

[@mats7492]

aaaaaaaaand im off to the flea market, 100 bucks in my pocket

[@88997799]

Holy crap… 🤯

[@boxerbhai6050]

Sir I have old antique brass statue wht i do for sale

[@Rahul-zx6us]

I think its indian Buddha statue by dressing style and its very beautiful

[@dipankartamuli2550]

I have an antique of 13th century old idol of Lord Buddha. How do I can contact Mr Robert Waterhouse ?

[@barbarjinks8170]

Time to start hitting up estate sales. I’m honestly interested in estate jewels. I never was until I started watching these clips but I’m almost certain I could spot Tiffany from across the room.